a day ago
Maroc Telecom's Strategic Pivot: Mohamed Benchaaboun Takes the Helm in a New Digital Era
Rabat — Morocco's central telecom giant is at a turning point, ever since Mohamed Benchaaboun was appointed as Chairman of the Management Board of Maroc Telecom on March 1, 2025.
This move transcended a mere change in leadership.
It represents a monumental shift for one of Africa's largest telecom operators, amid mounting competitive pressure, regulatory scrutiny, and the pressing need for digital modernization.
Benchaaboun stepped in at a moment when Maroc Telecom was undergoing a deep transformation, one that extends far beyond Morocco's borders.
With the 2030 FIFA World Cup approaching, co-hosted by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, the pressure to scale infrastructure, improve connectivity, and fast-track 5G deployment is no longer abstract. It's national, regional, and urgent.
A technocrat with a global compass
Benchaaboun is no stranger to complexity. With a background that traverses telecommunications, banking, and economic policy, he brings an unusually broad toolkit to the telecoms sector.
A graduate of the prestigious École Nationale Supérieure des Télécommunications in Paris, Benchaaboun began his career at Alcatel-Alsthom before moving into public service. He started first as Director of Customs and Indirect Tax Administration, then as head of Morocco's telecom regulator, ANRT, from 2003 to 2008.
He later helmed Banque Centrale Populaire during a decade of regional expansion, served as Minister of Economy and Finance from 2018 to 2021, and held diplomatic office as Morocco's Ambassador to France. His most recent role, managing the Mohammed VI Investment Fund, cemented his place as one of Morocco's key figures in strategic economic planning.
At Maroc Telecom, this seasoned technocrat brings a balance of regulatory acumen, fiscal discipline, and geopolitical awareness, traits increasingly essential for a sector at the crossroads of global digital transition and national development imperatives.
Reckoning, realignment
Maroc Telecom's new chapter began under pressure. In 2024, the company was fined MAD 6.3 billion ($640 million) for anti-competitive practices, a sum exceeding its annual net profit. The ruling prompted a reckoning inside the company, with internal audits, executive reshuffles, and the drafting of new governance structures aligned with international standards.
A shareholder vote scheduled for June 2025 is expected to ratify sweeping changes in transparency, oversight, and performance culture.
Benchaaboun's leadership is seen as instrumental in navigating this shift. Known for his discretion and long-term vision, he is tasked not only with repairing reputational damage but with repositioning Maroc Telecom for the digital age.
From rivalry to strategic alliance
One of the most significant moves under his watch came swiftly. In March 2025, Maroc Telecom signed a historic cooperation deal with its longtime competitor, Inwi. Just months earlier, the two had been locked in litigation. Now, they are collaborators, sharing infrastructure, coordinating on 5G rollout, and aligning on innovation priorities.
This unexpected alliance signals a broader shift toward market maturity in Morocco's telecoms sector. For consumers and enterprises, the potential gains are substantial: better connectivity, faster deployment of next-generation networks, and reduced redundancy in national infrastructure spending.
April brought another strategic leap: a new partnership with Vodafone Business aimed at strengthening cloud services, cybersecurity, and enterprise solutions across Morocco and the broader region.
These moves, backed by Benchaaboun's diplomatic finesse and institutional credibility, form part of Maroc Telecom's larger ambition to play a regional leadership role in Africa's digital transformation.
The World Cup test, the 5G race
The countdown to the 2030 FIFA World Cup looms large over every telecom executive in Morocco.
For Benchaaboun, it's both a deadline and a litmus test. Hosting one of the world's largest sporting events requires seamless digital infrastructure, robust mobile connectivity, and secure data environments — especially as spectators, broadcasters, and governments increasingly rely on real-time digital services.
This means that 5G is not just a buzzword; it is a national priority. Yet, despite pilot programs and early commercial offerings, widespread 5G deployment remains uneven across Morocco. The challenge is not just technological, but economic and political: it requires managing spectrum allocation, negotiating vendor relationships, safeguarding against cyber risks, and ensuring equitable access.
Morocco seeks to extend 5G coverage to 25% of its population by the end of 2025, with a target of reaching 70% by 2030, according to the ANRT.
The rollout will prioritize major cities and strategic economic areas, including industrial zones, technology parks, and innovation hubs. Universities, research institutions, and high-tech sectors such as automotive and aeronautics are expected to be early beneficiaries of the new network.
This large-scale initiative comes as part of a landmark collaboration between Maroc Telecom and Inwi, which in March established two joint ventures to support the effort. FiberCo plans to deploy one million fiber optic connections within two years and expand to three million within five. TowerCo, the second venture, is set to build 2,000 telecom towers by 2028 and 6,000 by 2033.
The overall investment, projected at MAD 4.4 billion ($440 million), seeks to enhance efficiency and accelerate nationwide access through shared infrastructure. Meanwhile, Orange Morocco is pursuing a parallel approach, weighing a combination of independent development and selective partnerships.
Benchaaboun's deep knowledge of public finance and regulatory systems may prove decisive here.
His role in deploying cloud-based public services and digital ID systems during his time as finance minister underscores his understanding of how telecom infrastructure can be leveraged for broader socioeconomic development.
Balancing legacy, innovation
Maroc Telecom remains a legacy institution, with operations in 11 African countries and deep roots in Morocco's state-led development model. But, in an era defined by startups, cloud-native platforms, and AI-powered services, the pressure to modernize is accelerating.
With private capital increasingly demanding performance and regulators tightening controls, the margin for error is shrinking.
Benchaaboun is expected to strike a balance between legacy stewardship and forward-looking innovation. His ability to navigate both boardroom politics and international capital markets positions him uniquely to lead the telecom giant into its next phase.
The stakes are high. From rebuilding trust after regulatory fines, to transforming Morocco into a 5G-enabled World Cup host, to expanding Maroc Telecom's footprint across Africa's emerging digital economies, the challenges are vast and interconnected.
Yet, amid these stakes also comes a vast horizon of opportunity. With Mohamed Benchaaboun at the helm, Maroc Telecom is betting on technocratic leadership to deliver strategic realignment — not just for shareholder value, but for the future of Morocco's digital infrastructure and its place on the global stage. Tags: FIFA World Cup 2030Maroc TelecomMohamed BenchaabounMorocco 5g
